Boeing has delivered a Next-Generation 737-800 to Iraqi Airways, the first of 30 that the airline ordered in 2008, marking a milestone in its relationship with the airline.

“The Next-Generation 737-800 will play a key role in helping us modernise our fleet and integrate into the regional and international commercial aviation system,” said H.E. Hadi Al Ameri, Iraq minister of transportation.

“Boeing has played a pivotal role in our growth plan and the Next-Generation 737 has earned an excellent reputation for reliability and operational efficiency.”

With this delivery, Iraqi Airways currently has 39 Boeing airplanes on order, including 29 Next-Generation 737-800s and ten 787 Dreamliners.

“This is a historic milestone in our relationship with Iraqi Airways and a testament to the value that the Next-Generation 737-800 will bring to the airline’s fleet,” said Marty Bentrott, vice president for sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Middle East, Russia and Central Asia.

“Boeing is proud of the confidence that Iraqi Airways has in its products and we look forward to further strengthening this relationship to fulfill the airline’s future commercial aviation needs.”

The Next-Generation 737 family has won orders for more than 6,500 airplanes, while the 737 family has surpassed 11,000 orders to date.

Boeing has delivered more than 7,600 737s – including more than 4,500 Next-Generation 737s – and currently has more than 3,400 unfilled orders for 737s (through July 2013).